1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Speculation continues about the future ownership of ITV, which has been pursued by the likes of RedBird IMI and Banijay, and producers remain nervy about how things will shake out.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 July 2025
Philip – who currently plays on the PGA Tour Americas circuit – is competing in just his second US Open and his first since missing the cut at the 2018 tournament, which is why making a nervy 5-footer for par at his last hole early on Saturday to make the cut for the weekend meant the world to him.
—Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Black Bag succeeds on its style and chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 2025
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 July 2025
Philip – who currently plays on the PGA Tour Americas circuit – is competing in just his second US Open and his first since missing the cut at the 2018 tournament, which is why making a nervy 5-footer for par at his last hole early on Saturday to make the cut for the weekend meant the world to him.
—Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Black Bag succeeds on its style and chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 2025
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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There are many layers that get peeled back in this wise film.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
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That won’t be the case every week, but Diggs looks up to speed — healthy and chemistry-wise — which puts him in the WR3/4 conversation and gives that Boutte the boot.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Arteta ended this block of matches before the international break by being adventurous against both Newcastle and West Ham, despite slightly different personnel making up that midfield unit.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Similarly, the most adventurous of women have been noted heading to the salon requesting similar, looser perms for a wavy beach look (or a faux natural curly look).—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Now, Darvish will get to pitch in front of a stadium of screaming, hopeful, nervous Cubs fans.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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If presidents are stars on the stage of world history, vice presidents are nervous understudies hidden away behind the scenes.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a cheeky aside directed at Sony Pictures Classics co-head Micheal Barker who was at the dinner, Quinn recalled how one of his preoccupations at Samuel Goldwyn had been figuring out what titles their rivals were getting access to.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
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Bieber’s iteration on the trend elevated the style to a cheeky, high-fashion moment with feminine touches and sensual edge.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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After a daring double steal, New York had the bases loaded with one out and Brandon Nimmo at the plate against Ferrer.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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The result is the year’s most daring TV performance, rooted in a painful, just barely recognizable humanity.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But farmers are worried that time is quickly running out to reach a deal in time to sell any of this year’s crop to their biggest customer.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
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The worried mom immediately booked a flight from Virginia to Colorado, which was an agonizing trip.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With it, Pierpaolo explores the space between fabric and body, where the air between them becomes a third dimension and a vital component of their construction to create bold and unexpected shapes.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
5 Oct. 2025
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Cowboy meatloaf is just like your regular weeknight dish, but with bold, smokey swagger.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Anthony was fearless in advocating for human rights.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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This candid conversation is your chance to hear raw revelations and candid confessions from a fearless force of Bravolebrities who always speak their minds.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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